• "k.d. lang is the greatest female singer in the whole world. I don't know any other women who can bring you to tears like that. With k.d. lang, it's about having the most beautiful tone -- and effortless. I have a tape of her singing on the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame and she sings 'Hallelujah.' Basically, everyone is in tears. Leonard Cohen [who wrote the song] can't keep himself together."

• "Emotionally, I've seen one other person who has moved me to tears basically, and that was Liza Minnelli. Liza's so emotionally captivating."

• Barbra Streisand and Celine Dion. "Technically, their voices are ridiculous. Distinct voices totally and technically, they're killers. Some of the greatest voices around."

JON BREAM 'Star Tribune'